Language Worker, Batjamalh, Emmi and Mendhe Language Project
My name is Daphne Yarrowin. I was born in an old place named Delissaville Settlement. I am an Emmiyangal woman on both sides, my mother’s and my father’s side, my grandparents on both sides are also Emmiyangal. My children are all Mendheyangal on their father’s side.
I teach language and culture at the Belyuen school through the Kenbi Rangers. I am working for Batchelor Institute on the Batjamalh, Emmi and Mendhe language project. I also help teach Certificate III in Learning an Australian First Nations Language (Emmi) to help train future language teachers for my community. The main thing for me is to pass on the language and culture to future generations. Language and culture keep us strong.
My language is only spoken by a few old people. My everyday language is a Pidgin English, or a Western Top End Kriol, made up of English, Batjamalh, Emmi and Mendhe. I want to learn to speak my own language strongly so I can keep the values and beliefs of my culture strong. I want to make sure that our children speak a language so that culture is transmitted.